Scare tactics. Apple, Microsoft and the question who’s lying.

November 6th, 2009 • Comments Ads
Tags: Ads, Analysis, Apple, Fail, history, Microsoft

Microsoft has delivered quite a lot of enjoyment to my computer screens when it came to ads. Highlights such as Songsmith and the latest Windows 7 party spots can only be described as either really, really dark self-ironic humor or plain and simple as bizarre. In comparison – all of us love the Mac and the PC guy. But what they do is actually still to paint a pucture of the boring, conservative, uncool Microsoft which constantly tries to ignore its bad product quality and still lies to the user. But is this true?

Check out this short analysis of Apple vs Microsoft spots. It rather makes me perceive Apple as a brand constantly working with scare tactics.

Audi Surface Configurator. Touch it, feel it.

Oktober 1st, 2009 • Comments Brands, Surface
Tags: Audi, Automotive, Brands, Cool, Creativity, Microsoft, Surface, Touch, visual, We like

I work for Neue Digitale / Razorfish, a Frankfurt and berlin based subsidiary of the Razorfish network. As part of our dedication to the digital ecosystem of our clients we are not only engaged in Social Media and Analytics projects but also in POP and digital sales activities. This configurator for our client Audi was staged two weeks ago on this Microsoft Surface Table at the leading automotive fair, IAA, right here in Frankfurt. Technologically it was quite a challenging project but it worked out quite nicely. Some call it magic. Read all about it on Razorfish’s Emerging Experiences Blog.

Audi Car Configurator on Surface @ IAA 2009 from Neue Digitale / Razorfish on Vimeo.

Halo 3 ODST. Sometimes war is a video game.

September 23rd, 2009 • Comments Games, We like
Tags: Bungie, Creative, Games, Halo, Lifestyle, Microsoft, Motion, video, Viral, visual, We like

For years Halo is among the few Game titles which kept up a very high level of creative excellence in marketing communication. Almost two years after the third sequel from Halo was published, Halo 3: ODST got into stores. The first-person shooter video game, developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft, was released on the Xbox 360 exclusively on September 22, 2009. Players assume the roles of elite human United Nations Space Command soldiers known as Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODSTs) during the events of Halo 2 and Halo 3.

Now watch this trailer by Bungie, pulling the Gamer into a Halo sequel presented like a classic war movie. Stunning! (Thx to Fubiz)

Agencies. Feel free to locate yourself.

August 10th, 2009 • Comments Business
Tags: Agencies, Brands, Business, Microsoft, Publicis, Razorfish, World

Yesterday Microsoft sold Razorfish to Publicis. The agency network I work for was bought by Microsoft about two years ago. And the decision to sell the agency network to a genuine ad brand did not come unexpected. As there is a lot of movement within the ad industry I would like to offer a little bit of navigational support for my dear readers. A colleague sent this Agency family tree by adage and in case you haven’t seen it, click on this link to locate yourself…

Microsoft Surface. The full list of killer apps.

Juli 8th, 2009 • Comments Surface
Tags: Apps, Microsoft, Razorfish, Surface, Touch

Razorfish (the agency I work for) is part of the Microsoft empire. I admit, all too often Microsoft is equalized with Windows Vista. But in fact, Microsoft has also developed a bunch of very sophisticated solutions far beyond its classic OS business. While I have already presented Microsoft’s Project Natal I would like to put today’s focus on the brand’s Surface table.

Surface is is a multi-touch table which is developed as a software and hardware combination technology that allows a user, or multiple users, to manipulate digital content by the use of natural motions, hand gestures, or physical objects. Surface is perfect for all consulting-like situations, e.g. while you look for a new car or negotiate a credit in your bank.

This is an application example by Neue Digitale / Razorfish, intertwining Facebook Connect, Surface and events.

Event Connect – Microsoft Surface Application from Razorfish – Emerging Experiences on Vimeo.

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Next step. Microsoft Project Natal.

Juni 7th, 2009 • Comments Allgemein
Tags: Games, Microsoft, Motion

Nice to see that my the mothership of my employer once in a while comes up with something completely new. Microsoft’s Project Natal is a new motion-capturing engine which was just presented at this year’s E3. It takes the Nintendo Wii concept to a new level. And all you need is a camera for your existing XBOX – not a new console.